Thousands to line the streets of Sydney in support of Sydney Marathon

Renowned globally as one of Australia’s most spectacular athletic events, the Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS, will become a spectator sport in 2023, with thousands of eager spectators expected to line the streets of Sydney on Sunday, 17 September.

A Candidate Race for the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) Sydney Marathon has unveiled major new upgrades to its spectator live sites and on-course entertainment at hubs across the city. Sydneysiders are being urged to leave the car at home and take public transport, with road closures scheduled in support of the history-making event.

“Sydney Marathon is a shared experience for runners and spectators alike,” said Wayne Larden, Race Director, Sydney Marathon. “One of the most incredible parts of the marathon is that so many different types of people come together to challenge themselves. Just as the marathon runners feed off the energy of the crowd, spectators are inspired by the courage and determination of everyday people challenging themselves to this enormous feat.”

Four spectator live sites in Pyrmont, The Rocks, Surry Hills, and Moore Park have been introduced this year, offering entertainment, free coffee, food trucks, custom sign workshops, DJs, drag queen performances, and prize giveaways. These sites will also feature large screens broadcasting the marathon live.

Families will be treated to a dedicated area at the Moore Park site, including a Nickelodeon Kids Zone, dance-offs, PAW Patrol colouring in competitions, and the opportunity to meet Everest from Nickelodeon's PAW Patrol.

Additional 'Hot Corners' will appear at Macquarie St/Bridge St, Macquarie St/Prince Albert St, and Moore Park live site, featuring an MC and live DJs. Sydney Marathon participants will pass the ‘Hot Corners’ more than three times during the race, making them the perfect vantage point for spectators cheering on loved ones.

Marathon runners will be entertained throughout the 42.195km course with 18 entertainment zones featuring DJs, community bands, reggae groups, bongo funk bands, and a special surprise at the 30km mark to help participants break through 'The Wall.'

Additional train and bus services will run throughout the day, allowing more stress-free time to enjoy the action on course. Sydney Marathon participants can travel free on public transport throughout the day.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said, “With so many great vantage points and entertainment hubs along the course, this year’s Sydney Marathon will create a festival for spectators and runners. I strongly encourage Sydneysiders to get out and enjoy the spectacle of the Sydney Marathon and support its push to become a World Marathon Major, which would have significant tourism benefits for the city.”

Major roads and cycleways in various parts of Sydney, including the CBD, The Rocks, Millers Point, Barangaroo, Pyrmont, Darlinghurst, Moore Park and Centennial Park, will be closed from 3:30am to 3:00pm to accommodate the event's activities. Transurban will allow motorists to travel free in the Cross City Tunnel during the one-day event (5am – 3pm).

SYDNEY MARATHON ROAD CLOSURES:

4am to 10am – Sydney Harbour Bridge, Milsons Point & Pyrmont: full closure of the Harbour Bridge including the Cahill Expressway and all on-ramps. Southbound traffic will be diverted via the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. In Milsons Point, from 3:30am to 11:00am, Alfred St South, Lavender St, Middlemiss St, Broughton St and Olympic Dr will close. In Pyrmont, Pirrama Rd, Murray St, Bowman St, Union St will be closed until 9:30am. Heavy traffic is expected.
4am to 3pm - Sydney CBD, Darlinghurst & Circular Quay: Macquarie St from Sydney Opera House to Hyde Park will be closed til 3pm. Roads north of Bridge St including Pitt, Loftus St, Young St and Phillip St will be closed from 5:30am – 11am. Park St, College St and parts of Oxford St and Flinders St from the city to Moore Park will be closed until 2:30pm.
4am to 10am – Barangaroo, Western Distributor Pyrmont to CBD: all citybound traffic on the Anzac Bridge will be diverted into the city via the Bathurst St off-ramp until 10am. No direct access between the Anzac Bridge and Sydney Harbour Bridge until 10am. Sections of Sussex St will also close.
4am to 11am – The Rocks & Millers Point: Hickson Rd/George St closed from Pottinger St down to Essex St until 11am. Erskine Street, Sussex St, Napoleon St, Lower Fort St, Argyle Pl and Argyle St will be closed until 8.30am.
4am to 2pm – Moore Park and Centennial Park: Moore Park Rd and Driver Ave will be closed until 2pm. No access to the Entertainment Quarter via Anzac Pde or Lang Rd at Cleveland St, access via Oxford St only. Centennial Park will be closed to all vehicles and cyclists from 4am to 2pm. The Eastern Distributor Bondi Exit to Moore Park Rd will close from 2am – 4am and from 1:15pm – 2pm. The southbound lanes of Anzac Pde from Moore Park Rd to Lang Rd at Moore Park and the Eastern Distributor Randwick Anzac Pde exit will be closed from 6.30am to 12pm.

The Sydney Marathon and its candidacy for the Abbott World Marathon Majors series are supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

The 2023 Sydney Marathon promises an unforgettable experience for both participants and spectators alike. For more information including spectator live sites, road closures and public transport visit https://sydneymarathon.com/spectators/

-ENDS-

LIVE SITES - here

ROAD CLOSURES MAPS - here

MARATHON MAP - here

EVENT IMAGES - here

ATHLETE IMAGES - here

B-ROLL - here

FOLLOW SYDNEY MARATHON ON SOCIAL:

Facebook – www.facebook.com/officialsydneymarathon

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sydney_marathon/

ABOUT SYDNEY MARATHON

Australia’s largest marathon, the Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS, returns with its spectacular courses on Sunday,17 September 2023. Thousands of participants of all fitness levels will take the opportunity to walk, run and wheel across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge traffic-free.

The only mass participation running event in Australia to have a three-hour live broadcast each year, the Sydney Marathon boasts four unforgettable races with participation from over 66 countries and has raised over $25 million dollars for charitable organisations since its inception.

The Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS is now Australia’s largest marathon and is the sole remaining participant legacy of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS is the first event in the Southern Hemisphere to achieve the highly prestigious World Athletics Platinum Label, as announced by World Athletics. As a World Athletics Platinum Label Road Race, the Sydney Marathon was ranked eighth in the world in 2022, becoming one of the leading global road races.

Sydney Marathon and its candidacy for Abbott World Marathon Majors is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. The event is owned by Athletics Australia and managed by Pont3.

ABOUT ABBOTT WORLD MARATHON MAJORS

The Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) is a series of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world - Tokyo Marathon, B.A.A. Boston Marathon, TCS London Marathon, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon.

Encompassing an annual series for elite runners and elite wheelchair athletes, AbbottWMM also applauds the achievements and passion of everyday champions from around the world. The AbbottWMM Six Star System is an online results hub that celebrates every runner who has completed from one to six of the races in the series and encourages them to 'Reach for the Stars'.